The future of healthcare innovation took a bold step forward with the inauguration of IIHMR Bangalore’s ADMIRE Launchpad Incubation Program, held on May 3, 2025, in collaboration with Thinkar Foundation and Krystal Ventures. The event marked a major milestone for the institution, strengthening its commitment to catalyzing digital transformation in healthcare.

The program commenced at 9:30 AM with the arrival of esteemed guests including Dr. C.S. Kedar Senior Advisor (Retd. IAS), Dr. Sadagopan Mentor & Distinguished Professor (Director of IIITB), and Dr. Usha Manjunath Professor, Director, IIHMR Bangalore, setting the tone for a day focused on innovation, mentorship, and entrepreneurial impact.

A Vision Rooted in Legacy and Innovation

In her welcome address, Dr. Usha Manjunath, Director and Professor at IIHMR Bangalore, reflected on the institute’s 20-year journey, honoring mentors like Dr. S.D. Gupta, Dr. Sadagopan, and Dr. Kedar—key visionaries who have shaped the ADMIRE ecosystem since its inception in November 2022. Under the guidance of Dr. Akash Prabhune and Mr. Sachin Bhat, ADMIRE has grown into a thriving platform that nurtures promising innovations such as Tridutha Technologies (formerly Footflex) and Pratikriya, extending its footprint across several Indian states.

The ceremonial lamp lighting at 10:05 AM officially ushered in the event.

Program Overview: Nurturing Ideas into Impact

ADMIRE Launchpad is a comprehensive 26-week incubation program designed to nurture innovative ideas into scalable startups. Structured into three dynamic phases, the program supports healthcare and technology entrepreneurs from ideation to market readiness:

1. Pre-Incubation (6 Weeks): Focuses on idea validation and startup readiness.
   
   
2. Structured Incubation (13 Weeks): Drives startup development and business growth.
   
   
3. Post-Incubation (7 Weeks): Prepares for market entry, evaluation, and the grand Demo Day.
   
   

Program Support

Participants benefit from a rich ecosystem that includes:

• Mentorship and coaching from seasoned professionals.
  
  
• Access to coworking space and essential resources.
  
  
• Participation in networking events and skill-building workshops.
  
  
• Direct access to investors and industry experts.
  
  

Program Outcomes

The ADMIRE Launchpad aims to produce:

• Validated and investor-ready startups.
  
  
• Strategic partnerships and enhanced market access.
  
  
• Sustainable growth strategies for long-term impact.
  
  

Reflections from the Pioneers

Delivering an inspiring talk titled “I Admire ADMIRE”, Dr. Sadagopan, Founder of IIIT-B, shared anecdotes of resilience from the journeys of global tech giants like Google, Uber, and India’s own Robosoft. He emphasized how persistent innovation creates real-world transformation.

Dr. C.S. Kedar captivated the audience with his vision for inclusive healthcare, recalling personal experiences from Sathya Sai Hospital. He envisioned prescriptions that could “read themselves aloud,” challenging innovators to build smarter systems addressing real-world barriers like language and health literacy.

Dr. Akash Prabhune recounted the evolution of ADMIRE—from early explorations in consumer health to deep-dive sessions with entrepreneurs like Nikhil Kamath and Rahul Sharma (Micromax). He stressed the importance of building cost-effective and sustainable healthcare models for India.

Recognizing Excellence and Mentorship

Dr. Usha honored key dignitaries—Dr. Sadagopan, Dr. Kedar, Mr. Praveen, and Mr. Srihari—with commemorative mementos. This was followed by the unveiling of ADMIRE’s esteemed mentor panel, comprising national and international leaders in health tech and venture development, including:

• Dr. Khalilat Janardan (Manipal Hospitals)
  
  
• Ms. Seema Bhandarkar, Regional country lead (Biocon Biologicals)
  
  
• Dr. Rishi Sen, Lead product Manager (Athena Health)
  
  
• Mr. Ashutosh Pandey, Founder (Kifayti health)
  
  
• Mr. Sathish Narasimha, Senior Vice President (HealthAssist)
  
  
• Dr. Prashant Sathe, Independent advisor, healthcare projects. Founder director Healingedge healthcare (Healing Health Forum, USA)
  
  
• Mr. Sharath Chandra, SVP technology (Razorpay)
  
  
• Wing Commander Nagar Subramanian, Facility Director (Fortis Healthcare)
  
  
• Mr. Bipin Rathod, Consultant Clinical Artificial Intelligence (Kinex)
  
  
• Mr. Amitabh Patney, Cofounder (Ving Hybrid Technologies)
  
  

Spotlight on Innovation: AI Startups Lead the Way

At 11:15 AM, the stage was set for incubated startups to present their AI-powered healthcare solutions, highlighting the real-world impact of ADMIRE’s incubation support:

• Rove Health – AI-based diagnostics for women’s health, addressing PCOS and PMS.
  
  
• HealthSutra Analysis Pvt Ltd – Predictive analytics for holistic health management.
  
  
• Clearance – Real-time AI ambulance dispatch and emergency response system.
  
  
• Qureo – Transparent and accessible healthcare delivery platform.
  
  
• Orbit of Wellness – Integrated AI community health and telemedicine platform.
  
  
• Prickeezy – Pain-reducing injection device for children using vibration and cooling.
  
  
• Impeccable Innovation Pvt Ltd – Dietary solutions for autistic individuals.
  
  
• NurtureBridge Tech – Early autism diagnosis and intervention with AI.
  
  
• Tridutha Technologies – Smart shoe (Footflex) to prevent diabetic foot ulcers.
  
  
• Insight Health – AI-enhanced tools to improve health literacy.
  
  
• Project ABHAY – AI & IoT-based drones for women’s safety.
  
  
• Doctigo by VentureBoost – AI-integrated patient management with telemedicine support.
  
  

A Vision for the Future

The event concluded at 2:30 PM with closing remarks from Mr. Sachin Bhat, who expressed heartfelt thanks to the mentors, partners, and startup teams. Presentations from Thinkar Foundation and Krystal Ventures capped off a landmark day that not only showcased ADMIRE’s achievements but positioned it as a national hub for digital health innovation.